Columbus town manager pleads to speeding; apologizes for incident

Published: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:05 p.m.

Chadbourn Town Manager Stevie Cox pleaded guilty to speeding, and issued an apology for his behavior Monday, after a jury failed to reach a verdict in October on a more a serious charge of impersonating a police officer.

The Columbus County District Attorney's Office said in a news release that Cox admitted speeding 69 mph in a 60 mph zone while driving back to Columbus County from Raleigh in March 2011. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine.

Cox was originally indicted on a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a police officer. At the time of the traffic stop, he was driving the police chief's unmarked vehicle with the town's mayor and two Alcohol Beverage Control Board members as passengers as the group returned from a meeting with legislators.

Cox admitted that he presented the police chief's badge to the state trooper during the stop, but said in his public apology that “my intention was to (identify) myself as a member of the town of Chadbourn, not the chief of police.

“I now realize that my behavior created confusion by my own doing, and for that I am deeply sorry,” he said.

The entirety of Cox's public apology:

On the afternoon of March 15, 2011, I was returning to Chadbourn from Raleigh with the Mayor of Chadbourn and two ABC Board members. We had been to the North Carolina General Assembly to meet with State House Representative Dewey Hill and State Senator Bill Rabon. I did not realize that the speed zone had changed, when I was pulled over by North Carolina State Trooper Ronnie Walker. When I was stopped, I was driving Chadbourn Police Chief Steven Shaw's unmarked patrol vehicle. The Town's official car was in a bad state of repair and Chief Shaw was out on sick leave.

After Trooper Walker approached the vehicle, I gave him my license, the vehicle registration and insurance information. Also, during the stop I removed Chief Shaw's badge and presented to Trooper Walker. My intention was to identify myself as a member of the town of Chadbourn, not the chief of police. I now realize that my behavior created confusion by my own doing, and for that I am deeply sorry.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the people of the Town of Chadbourn and Columbus County for the misunderstanding that took place on that day. I understand that as a public servant I am not above the law and held to a higher standard. I apologize for how this incident has reflected on my position, the town of Chadbourn, and the county of Columbus. It is my hope that I can now put this matter behind me and get on with my life in trying to serve the citizens of Chadbourn as their Town Manager.

<p>Chadbourn Town Manager Stevie Cox pleaded guilty to speeding, and issued an apology for his behavior Monday, after a jury failed to reach a verdict in October on a more a serious charge of impersonating a police officer.</p><p>The Columbus County District Attorney's Office said in a news release that Cox admitted speeding 69 mph in a 60 mph zone while driving back to Columbus County from Raleigh in March 2011. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine.</p><p>Cox was originally indicted on a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a police officer. At the time of the traffic stop, he was driving the police chief's unmarked vehicle with the town's mayor and two Alcohol Beverage Control Board members as passengers as the group returned from a meeting with legislators.</p><p>Cox admitted that he presented the police chief's badge to the state trooper during the stop, but said in his public apology that “my intention was to (identify) myself as a member of the town of Chadbourn, not the chief of police.</p><p>“I now realize that my behavior created confusion by my own doing, and for that I am deeply sorry,” he said.</p><p>The entirety of Cox's public apology:</p><p>On the afternoon of March 15, 2011, I was returning to Chadbourn from Raleigh with the Mayor of Chadbourn and two ABC Board members. We had been to the North Carolina General Assembly to meet with State House Representative Dewey Hill and State Senator Bill Rabon. I did not realize that the speed zone had changed, when I was pulled over by North Carolina State Trooper Ronnie Walker. When I was stopped, I was driving Chadbourn Police Chief Steven Shaw's unmarked patrol vehicle. The Town's official car was in a bad state of repair and Chief Shaw was out on sick leave.</p><p>After Trooper Walker approached the vehicle, I gave him my license, the vehicle registration and insurance information. Also, during the stop I removed Chief Shaw's badge and presented to Trooper Walker. My intention was to identify myself as a member of the town of Chadbourn, not the chief of police. I now realize that my behavior created confusion by my own doing, and for that I am deeply sorry.</p><p>I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the people of the Town of Chadbourn and Columbus County for the misunderstanding that took place on that day. I understand that as a public servant I am not above the law and held to a higher standard. I apologize for how this incident has reflected on my position, the town of Chadbourn, and the county of Columbus. It is my hope that I can now put this matter behind me and get on with my life in trying to serve the citizens of Chadbourn as their Town Manager.</p>